D&I calendar

The D&I calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year contains all important religious holidays, commemorative days and other celebrations relevant to the diverse groups and identities within our academic community. This way, it raises awareness and understanding and it can also help when planning meetings, events and other communications across the university.

Download the iCalendar file to add the dates to your Outlook, Google or Apple calendar. The descriptions include additional information about each day, such as possible dietary requirements and work- or study-related restrictions. In addition to the iCalendar file, you can download a poster version to print out or use as a screensaver. A limited number of A3 posters are also available. If you would like to receive one, please email diversiteit@leidenuniv.nl.

Inclusive teaching

The Teaching guide inclusive learning environment provides teaching staff with information and tips for developing and delivering inclusive education. The guide motivates lecturers to think about their teaching materials and teaching style before, during and after lectures. The content is based on existing sources and best practices, and in its compilation experts from different faculties and centres of expertise were consulted.

Gender identity and pronouns

​​​​​​Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community and respects the diversity of gender identities of staff, students and visitors. Our pronouns brochure provides information on the use of pronouns and why it is important to pay attention to pronoun use in everyday interaction.

The Toolkit onnodige sekseregistratie (Toolkit unnecessary gender registration, in Dutch) from the Atria institute is a helpful tool to check whether registering gender is really necessary and how you can ensure to be inclusive of a diversity of gender identities.

Inclusive recruitment and selection

For HRM issues, Leiden University uses a recruitment and selection methodology that avoids implicit bias wherever possible. The HRM Inclusive Recruitment & Selection toolkit offers a wealth of information and practical tips for all stages of the recruitment and selection procedure.

This process starts by attracting a diverse pool of candidates – from the language used in the job description to the media used to advertise the vacancy, as well as the procedure itself. We then look at the composition of the selection committee and all the subsequent steps in the procedure: the selection of application letters, preparation for the interview, the interview itself, the selection and follow-up. This results in a diligent and professional recruitment and selection procedure that can be properly justified to the candidates. This toolkit therefore contributes to the development of a diverse academic community.

The Recruitment and Selection training course (Basic and Plus) was developed to provide appointment advisory committees, vacancy holders and selection committees in particular with the knowledge and tools they need to select candidates in a competent and inclusive way. Both versions of the course are a good resource for learning how to use the HRM toolkit in practice.

Declaration of Equity

The Declaration of Equity is a pledge to shape any student association of Leiden University and University of Applied Sciences Leiden into one that is accessible, inclusive, and safe. The declaration offers specific directions for an association to follow in order to become one where equal opportunities for all are at the foundation.

Tips for gender-inclusive communication

Leiden University is committed to creating an inclusive and engaged community. As a university, we recognise that not everyone is comfortable with a binary approach to gender identity. In this guide you can read how you can contribute to an inclusive learning and working environment by choosing appropriate forms of salutation and using inclusive language.

See also the university writing guidelines for examples of a gender-neutral salutation.